Foot neuropathy (numbness and pain) after total knee replacement (TKR)

I’m with you, had I known this was gonna happen I would’ve lived with the pain and just taking the shots. However now I have all the stuff going on and I guess I just have to live with that. I do need the left knee done but that’s not gonna happen so it is what it is.

My other knee (right) is not great and I will get the gel shots every 6 months to try and avoid TKR. The knee (left) I had replaced had been getting gel shots but it was to far gone I guess because they did not do crap. If the right gets real bad that shots don't help I would consider TKR again giving the surgeon a fair warning that if he did nerve damage there would be comeback on my part. I believe they can show due caution and prevent nerve damage with care, I believe sloppy workmanship causes the nerve damage. Why do I feel like this? because I spent 42 years as an inspector watching humans work for the fed government, I know why things go wrong.

Bottom of my foot still numb 11months after TKR. I guess we can only keep hoping the feeling will someday return.

Was hoping that kind of time would correct the nerve, I still believe in time the body will repair it and I am pessimist when it comes to most things. I just know the healing process takes so long as we get older and a nerve has a reputation for slow repair anyway, combine them both (age & nerves) and we have the very slow results. when yours gets better I would like to know.

This really isn't a reply, but it's in the subject area of numbness and tingling in my foot. I am coming up on one year since a total knee replacement on my left knee and for the first time and for the last few months oh, I've had tingling and numbness in that foot and ankle area. I'm wondering if nerve damage could have occurred during the operation. I am 78 years old and in otherwise reasonably good health. I do have type 2 diabetes but it has been under control. I wonder if others have had a long numbness and tingling in the foot on the leg where the total knee replacement was done.?

My foot numbness came 6 to 8 hours after the left knee was replaced and has been the same amount ever since (approx. 4 months now). Hard to think your numbness was from the operation, just to much time, I would look elsewhere.

Halo: Yes, I have been having the same feeling in the foot, tingling and numbness after nearly nine months of TKR of the left knee. I have no idea what it is due to. If you come to know the reason please respond to me. Thank you! I am 2 months into the right TKR and occasionally I have started feeling the same sensation into my right foot too.

I had a cold, numb and tingly foot and purple toes right after my right TKR and was told it was normal by several, but 1 Dr finally listened to me(50 days later). I had an ABI test done which showed low pressure in my leg from the knee down. Which sent me to a cardiologist and then had an angiogram that showed the popliteal artery that supplies the blood to the leg/toes was totally pinched closed. Then had artery surgery which opened the artery and turned my toes pink again, but did not totally get rid of ALL the numbness and tingling. Was told because of the lack of blood to my foot I could have cell and tissue damage. I had nerve tests done that showed nerve damage to the main nerve that goes down the leg. Been 18 months and was told it might not ever heal or could take 3 yrs. Good luck.

I would like to know how many people who received a TKR and acquired foot numbness soon after ALSO drank alcohol over the suggested safe two drinks per day for some years. I myself drank four per day for approx. ten years (retired) and am thinking I damaged/weakened nerves so as to make them vulnerable to disturbance of a TKR operation. Just a thought after reading all about alcohol neuropathy. Note: Something I never heard of before!

Greetings @billjan1950. Welcome to Connect and a big hello from all of the folks who find information, comfort, and support for what appears to be neuropathy including the symptoms of pain, tingling, and numbness. I too am up there....78 years old. Unfortunately, there really is no way of avoiding damage to nerves in any surgery. They are everywhere in our bodies. Surgeons, at least those I have met want to keep the neuropathy symptoms under control as new nerves are grown to replace those damaged by surgery. Nerve growth is pretty slow by its nature and you and I have the added factor of age.

So, @billjan1950, I was also ready to think that there may have been some damage in the left foot due to the TKR. However, guess what....I also have those irascible symptoms in my other, non-surgical leg, foot, and ankle. As I read your post, you have not had symptoms in your right leg. So they are different.

Did you share your concerns about healing issues with your surgeon? Were other tests done? Has anyone mentioned scar tissue? Last question, I promise.......have you been working with a physical or occupational therapist? Have you had an introduction to MFR (myofascial release therapy)?

Oops....one more question. Have you had a skin biopsy at the ankle location?

O.K. that's enough for now. I feel sort of like a kindred spirit here. Please don't hesitate to come back with some add ons and extras that might help us at this point.

May you be safe and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris